Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) causes pain and inflammation in the tendons that connect the forearm to the elbow. The pain centers on the bony bump on the inside of the elbow and also may radiate into the forearm.

Golfer’s elbow is usually caused by overusing the muscles in the forearm that allow you to grip, rotate your arm and flex (bend) your wrist. Repetitive flexing, gripping, or swinging can cause pulls or tiny tears in the tendons.

Despite the name, this condition does not just affect golfers. However any repetitive hand, wrist, or forearm motions can lead to golfer’s elbow. Risky sports include tennis, bowling, cricket and baseball.

Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms

Typically the golfer’s elbow patients will experience pain when performing gripping tasks or resisted wrist/finger flexion. Pain can also be present when the muscles are stretched. There will be tenderness directly over the bony epicondyle, and there may be trigger points in the wrist flexor muscles.

NB; an epicondyle is a part that sticks out of the end of a bone often where muscles and tendon are attached

Some patients will also have neck stiffness and tenderness, as well as signs of median nerve irritation. Most elbow movements will be pain-free. Gripping is painful.

Causes of Chronic Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow is caused by damaged muscle tissue at the point it anchors to the arm bone at the elbow. It occurs when more force is applied to an area than the normal healthy tissues can handle.

Chronic Golfer’s Elbow: this occurs due to the soft tissues being in poor health and become easily injured. Inflammation follows the injury, which leads to swelling and elbow pain. It is associated with degenerative changes in the muscle tissues located at the medial epicondyle.

N/B: Chronic Golfer’s Elbow is not due to inflammation

Golfer’s Elbow Diagnosis

Golfer’s elbow is clinically diagnosed by a physiotherapist or doctor. After assessment to the injury history and using some confirmatory clinical tests a provisional diagnosis of Golfer’s Elbow can be made.

Ultrasound scan or MRI best tests to identify any tendon tears or inflammation. X-rays are of little diagnostic benefit.

Susceptible people to Golfer’s elbow

Golfer’s elbow occurs commonly in the community. It is present in golfers. However, it is common in repetitive activities where gripping is involved.
Predictably, the side affected is usually associated with handedness, but it can occur in the non-dominant arm. Males and females are affected equally.

Golfer’s Elbow Treatment

Physiotherapy has been shown to be effective in the short and long-term management of Golfer’s Elbow.

Physiotherapy aims to achieve the following:

Reduction of elbow pain.
Facilitation of tissue repair.
Restoration of normal joint range of motion and function.
Restoration of normal muscle length, strength and movement patterns.
Normalisation of your upper limb neurodynamics.

Physiotherapy treatment can include gentle mobilization of your neck and elbow joints, electrotherapy, protective strapping, muscle stretches, neural mobilizations, massage and strengthening. In some instances a Golfer’s Elbow Brace (which is a tennis elbow brace worn on the opposite side of the elbow) may be beneficial.

Golfer’s Elbow Prognosis

Untreated golfer’s elbows can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. You are also prone to recurrence. Studies have shown physiotherapy to be an effective way of managing golfer’s elbow when compared to steroid injections or giving of advice alone.

Prevention of Golfer’s elbow

Strengthen your forearm muscles. Use light weights or squeeze a tennis ball. However simple exercises can help your muscles absorb the energy of sudden physical stress.
Stretch before your activity. Walk or jog for a few minutes to warm up your muscles. Then do gentle stretches before you begin your game.
Fix your form. Whatever your sport, ask an instructor to check your form to avoid overload on muscles.
Use the right equipment. If you’re using older golfing irons, consider upgrading to lighter graphite clubs. However if you play tennis, a racket with a small grip or a heavy head may increase the risk of elbow problems.
Lift properly. When lifting anything — including free weights — keep your wrist rigid and stable to reduce the force to your elbow.
Know when to rest. Try not to overuse your elbow. At the first sign of elbow pain, take a break.

References:
https://ww.medicalnewstoday.com

Written by:

Jemimah Kamau,
Physical Therapist ,
Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Health Centre

Golfer’s Elbow